If you are looking for a language to learn that would benefit your field, I recomend French. There are many more componies in programming in Europe than in Mexico. Also, microsofts C++ and Java are used more widely in Europe.

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Well i inssist.. C is the best language.. why???

Beacuse of the number of aplication made to "translate" it into another language.. for example, i have a texas calculator, i can write my program in c and convert it into asm...

Same with my pic and motrola microcontrollers, i can write the program in c and have it transalated to asm....

Same with numeberless aplcations!!!!!

Java is a pretty great language also!!!!!


jejej, Spanish... ESTE I ES EL MEJOR DE TODOS LOS LENGUAJES HABIDOS Y POR HABER!!!!!!

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Yea, those programs that "translate" it to ASM, they're called "Compilers". Again, this is why I recomend books to anyone that is learning C/C++. In the introduction to nearly every book on the subject, they explain what the compiler does, what the linker does, ect. ect. This is something every programmer should know.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. COBOL is indeed still widely used, particularly on custom-made UNIX mainframes. Heck, there's even an episode of Dilbert about thier mainframe and it's COBOL programming. However, most of the jobs dealing with those large COBOL code bases are already taken. Beyond that, the mainframes are being slowly but surely replaced.

I would recomend that you get very good at C++. Explore all the possibilites of classes and templates. Learn as many data orgonization techniques as you can, such as linked lists, binary search trees, hierarcial object node systems and the like.

Suplement that with learning new languages just for the fun of it. For example, pick up Python, even if you only use it for a week. Already done Python? OK, go with Pearl. Heck, just Google around and try to find some obscure language that on one uses, and use it for a week.

The point I am trying to make here is that languages change at a rapid pace. The key to being a good programmer isn't knowing every language under the sun, it's simply to be a good programmer. Once you can code circles around your friends in any language, you'll be able to do the same in every language.

Good luck!
QBRADQ

 

 

 

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hehe..
well i take my professional committments seriously and wont be a mennace to society. I don't necessirly hate M$ ..but in last few years they have been sucking big time (with regards to WebStandards, IE exploits and much more). M$ is a good company ..and I think they can do better ..alot better.
I know its easy to criticize from outside ...but what the hell..

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What i would like to suggest is, MASTER C/C++ and you can master any other language. Not only learn the C/C++ language but also learn various programming API's available for it. Go in for Windows programming with WinAPI and try out creating OpenGL/DirectX programs. You will then be able to rule almost any other language.

As for Java or .NET, I suggest .NET must be gone in for. History has it, Microsoft has won every war it fought (mostly), and it is sure to do so with .NET too.

Sorry MS haters... but lets accept the fact that 90% of computers are running MS Windows, 91% of browsers are IE. Hence when u develop a solution, its better to develop one which is tightly integrated with the platform. Java sucks at it. Swing doesnt utilise the underlying OS for its GUI looks, its slow and unresponsive... anyway... C# is a great language. With the power of C++ and ease of VB, it rules.

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I think Delphi is pruity easy man. Probably the easiest one.

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Hmmm.. I'm a sophomore programming major, and a real newb to the field, seeing as I knew nothing other than HTML/PHP/SQL when I started.

However, of the languages I've been taught so far.. (VB.NET, C++, COBOL).. I've liked COBOL the best, by far. And, in my class, there was only one other person who ended up enjoying it as well.

But.. herein lies my problem. The teacher swears COBOL is still a widely-used language, and it'd be worth learning.. surely I could get a good job with a language I loved, that way. However, most of the other people I've talked to have said it's a 'dead language', and I should switch over to.. anything else.
..it's all so confusing.. ^^


Oh well.. the general advice from you guys seems to be.. study the theory? Get the general idea of a lot of languages, not the details of any one.. and I can do that ^^

Okay, that's enough posting for one night.. time to do my C++ class homework :]

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Since you already know C++, there's absolutely no use to learn visual basic. VB is not object oriented, three quarters of the generated binaries are null-bytes. And it's more than a mix-up-a-little-script-fast-for-one-time-use language than anything else. Anyway, why learn any basic language AT ALL if you already know C++. Ofcourse, C++ and Java for instance are both quite a lot faster than Visual Basic, noway that vb (.net) can be faster than C++ or Java, and since your programs are NOT GUI dependant, you can use or leave the GUI if you wish instead of being forced to one

Hm... this was quite the microsoft Visual basic bash rant wasn't it?

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I think you'd made the right choice by trying those languages. You'll sure have a good chance in getting a job with them. In Holland the exspectation is that we'll have 10.000 programmers short over 10 years. I don't how it is in your country but I'll think you'll have very good chance with them.
One little hint, try GML. It's very funny and I'm sure it helps you becoming good in C++.

-=Jeroen=-

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Reguarding your need to experiment with SQL I would suggest that you start with some PHP/MySql. I think that designing websites is something that is fun and interesting, while at the same time can enhance your programming skills. I'm personally not that great of a programmer, but I'm learning. From my experience javascript can be very handy. I suggest however at least experimenting with php/mysql. If you're not familiar with it I would also suggest installing a package that installs php/apache/mysql in one installation. phpdev is a nice setup for beginners (i still use it because I know nothing of setting up servers) located at:
http://www.firepages.com.au
Another server package is IBserver
http://www.ibserver.com
I think those 2 links are right, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I found a good website for me is htmlgoodies.com. It has plenty of pimers/tutorials to help me along, with some decent reference material. Good luck out there. I'm about in the same situation you are in, but I haven't programmed in Java. I hear it's a lot like c++ without pointers. I'll try it out soon, just downloaded the program from Sun the other day. I'm a CIS (computer information systems) major, but I wish I would've went to CS. =( bad decision on my part.

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